Thanks very much mumsnet camping section. Sheesh.

So I have been browsing the camping forum whilst thinking wistfully of taking the two very small people to a eurocamp type affair in Brittany next year (when small people are slightly less small) and so far have bought:

Various other accessories including camping appropriate clothing for all of us, for all possible weathers.

An estate car and roof box.

A new house with garden big enough to make use of tent when not away, and to dry it out.

I have also booked us in to several local(ish) campsites for weekends throughout this 'summer' and have organised ferry crossings for a three week trip to Europe next year and an exhaustive list of fine campsites which will be suitable for our nomadic road trip plans.

Have sadly had to acknowledge that we will probably have to dispose of one of the children to have any hope of achieving any of this. Yet to make final decision on which one. Changes daily.

I suppose a lotto ticket might be slightly less radical (although less achievable)

I'm in Scotland too. Do you drive to France? The journey makes me feel a bit queasy? I drove to South Wales when my eldest was 11 months, was ready to take own life by time we got there. Furthest we've driven since is two hours (scarred)

Yeah...that's where we were thinking of going - Rothirmurchus.We stayed at Glenmore last time we did Aviemore, and while the facilities were top notch, it was all very joyless and up it's own bottom. Thought we' try Rothiemurchus this year as it looks lovely!

The number of advertised sites in and around Aviemore is surprisingly few!

Can I just say...I think the ZIG is not the best option.We have the PIG and it's fab. It takes maybe 10 mins to peg in. We considered the ZIG at the time of purchase and decided against, as one thing that zips do, is break. The PIG is far lighter to carry (and even at that, Bessie weighs about 4 stone), considerably cheaper, and once it's pegged down does the same as the ZIG. There is less to go wrong with it too.

I'm a bit of a woose when it comes to beasties in general and spiders in particular. And any sort of scary foreign beast such as scorpions etc. shudders. That's the main reason for the zig.

The thought of the zip breaking does make me want to cry a bit though. Hmmm

Can I ask, how do you actually put it up and is there anywhere you can see a live one, in the flesh?? Husband so far is going along with it, but says he's not parting with that sort of money without actually seeing/feeling one. More hmmmm.

Tbh I'm unlikely to have to deal with beasts alone, and I'm sure I'm able to not flip out and scream like girl until I've exited the tent in a demure and composed fashion leaving someone (baby? Who cares as long as its not me!) to remove/kill offending beastie.

Cheers for the advice though. Dh is up for it really, he just goes a bit green around the gils when having to part with serious amounts of money, which is fair do's really on account of not actually having any.

Festivals sadly out for us for a few years, although I've seen bell tents at BC festivals. I just didn't know they had a name or that they were affordable(ish) or practical or normal people. I've only ever seen them in the VIP posh areas of festivals.

I know Matilda, where to start indeed. And where to stop?? Our problem is that I haven't gone back to work after second child ad probably won't until they're both at school and we are really struggling on one wage.

Camping sounds like it should be an affordable way to give the kids cool holidays and adventure and experiences and it probably would be if I didn't have such poncey aspirations!!

Still, we've been saving £2 coins in one I those money tins you have to open with a tin opener (to prevent dipping into it to pay for kebabs and such like) and when last years tin was full it had £700 in it!! Some of it had to fund Christmas but there's about £500 still left and we're well on with tin two. This is our holiday fund (we've not had one for years) so it's a pretty good start.

We bought our bell tent from BCA, based in Bradford, who make tents for scouts and guides- do look at them as well as soul pad, etc. Their tents are totally bombproof, made in the UK with top quality materials, customer service is fab and they are super helpful. I love our bell tent!

We have some stuff, but its all so old (and probably mouldy by now). We've no decent kitchen/cooking items at all.

I think we need to be patient an wait until next year, and keep going with the £2 coins (I'm like a fiend with them, always ask for them in change and buy them off friends if they have any, bit odd I suppose but it works for us!)

Hi - yes Bessie has been to several festivals. I don't go to the big ones like Glasto or T in the Park as that was hell on earth to me when I was a youngster, never mind now...but I do love a crusty old festie. The tent has done splendidly in the most adverse of conditions.

Rothiemurchus the first week of July I think. Can't wait. I love Aviemore.